Cabinet resigns in Argentina

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33612, 14 August 1974, Page 15

Cabinet resigns in Argentina

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 13

President Maria Estela Peron of Argentina is expected to accept the resignation of five of her eight-man Cabinet who decided to step down en masse last week.

As the country faced its first Cabinet reshuffle since the death of President Juan Peron six weeks ago, soldiers and police were engaged in one of the biggest operations against Left-wing guerrillas, who made a series of raids on military installations over the weekend.

The Interior Minister (Mr Benito Llambi) said that the Cabinet handed in their resignations last Tuesday and were still awaiting Mrs Peron’s decision whether to accept them. It was widely believed that five ministers would be replaced, including the Economy Minister (Mr Jose Gelbard, who has come under fire from the powerful General Labour Confederation (C.G.T.), for his prices and wages policies. There was speculation that Mr Llambi would be replaced, and that only the Justice Minister, Mr Antonio Benitez, the Defence Minister, Mr Angel Robledo, and the Social Welfare Minister, Mr Jose Lopez Rega, would keep their posts. Meanwhile, a 300-strong force of soldiers were tracking the remnants of a guerrilla band which lost 15 members killed in fierce fighting in Catamarca Province, north-western Argentina, yesterday. Four members of the security forces were also killed.

At least 24 people have now died in fighting since Sunday, when the guerrillas, members of the outlawed Peoples Revolutionary Army (E.R.P.), attacked a military arms factory in Cordoba province and an Army barracks in Catamarca.

-The fighting yesterday began after police arrested two youths who aroused suspicion by buying large

quantities of bread in the small town of Piedra Blanca.

The youths led police to an E.R.P. hideout and a fierce gunbattle broke out in which three policemen and Il guerrillas were reported killed.

Four more guerrillas and a soldier were killed in later battles as police and soldiers, supported by aircraft, pursued the fleeing band.